There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental illnesses, but the one I see villainized the most is borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder not make you a villain – it makes you human. I am an adult who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in my late teens. It’s true that we are emotional. We might have abandonment issues or we might not be able to handle things in the way others do. That does not strip us of our humanity. I often hear that people with borderline personality disorder are abusers or manipulators, but that can be true for anyone regardless of their mental health diagnosis. Many of us with borderline personality disorder are victims of abuse and manipulation ourselves and would never want to put that onto somebody else.

I have heard people say that they would never be friends or in a relationship with someone who has borderline personality disorder. This is incredibly hurtful. We are people, too. Our brains just work in different ways. Some of us think with our hearts more than our brains, which can cause emotional reactions, but that doesn’t mean we will act out or be mean and abusive. My friends would never describe me as a mean person despite my diagnosis. People with bipolar disorder are like anyone else – we have likes and dislikes, interests, and hobbies. We like the same things anyone else does. We listen to music you like, we watch TV shows and movies you like. We aren’t so different. And we certainly aren’t evil. We did not choose this illness; it was thrust upon us, and it is not easy for us to handle either.

If you are having issues with a person with borderline personality disorder, try looking into reputable resources to educate yourself and speaking with others who have this. Some of us may prefer a gentle approach, but some may prefer directness. Setting boundaries is encouraged, even if it may hurt the person’s feelings. For me, a symptom of my borderline personality disorder is that I have a hard time with boundaries, especially coming from my FP (Favorite Person). Boundaries are still important, though, and I learn to handle them even with my illness.

If you ever feel put off by someone with borderline personality disorder, I encourage you to consider how you are thinking about them. A little empathy can go a long way. Sometimes, that’s all we ever need. After all, people with borderline personality disorder are just that – people. Remember to treat us with kindness and respect, the same way you’d treat anyone else.